Grenfell Tower Tragedy Follow Up

AQ - 26 Jun 2017

Grenfell Tower Tragedy

Dear supporters and charity partners

The Grenfell Tower Fund appeal was set up by the K&C Foundation at the request of London Funders and the London Emergencies Trust in the immediate aftermath of this devastating event. The public response has been overwhelming. The appeal has raised £3.4 million to date. We want to sincerely thank everyone who has responded so generously.

I wanted to let you know today that the Charity Commission has announced a unified approach to supporting everyone directly affected by the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy.

The next of kin of those who tragically lost their lives in the Grenfell fire are to receive an initial £20,000 and those seriously injured will receive up to an initial £10,000 when their details are released. Those made homeless will receive a 'fresh start' grant of £10,000 per family when they are permanently rehoused.

This unified approach brings together all of the major charities and partners that have been fundraising for the tragedy at Grenfell Tower – including the K&C Foundation – and sets out how initial donations and assistance will be made over the coming weeks and months. The full Charity Commission announcement detailing the charities and partners involved can be read here.

This is completely separate to and independent from funds being made available by the Government or local authority.

Through this joint approach, the K&C Foundation is working with the British Red Cross London Fire Relief Fund, The London Community Foundation with the Evening Standard Dispossessed Fund and has made funds available to help the next of kin of people who have lost their lives or are missing with an initial contribution of £20,000.

Initial contributions of up to £10,000 are also available for each person seriously injured who required hospital treatment. These funds will be distributed by the London Emergencies Trust, a charity set up following the Westminster Bridge attack this year to support the victims of emergencies.

We can also announce that £10,000 will be available for every family from Grenfell Tower as a ‘fresh start’ grant as they move into new permanent accommodation.

This money will come directly from donations made to the K&C Foundation Grenfell Tower Fund appeal. These funds will be available to those moving into new permanent accommodation and can be obtained through the Rugby Portobello Trust from Monday 26 June. Residents of the Tower are able to access the funding from that date if they have been given permanent accommodation by calling or emailing the Rugby Portobello Trust and asking to speak to the New Homes Team on 0207 229 2928 or newhomesteam@rpt.org.uk.

Following on from this immediate relief, The K&C Foundation will be working with others in the coming weeks and months to ensure direct consultation with the community from and around Grenfell Tower. It is essential that the longer term needs of the community continue to be at the heart of our work.

As ever, we hugely appreciate your ongoing support without which none of this vital work would be possible.